About postgrad study

Why do postgrad study?

The pros and cons

The advantages of undertaking postgraduate study are many but must be weighed against practical considerations, including cost. Most importantly you must carefully consider if further study will satisfy your personal or career aims. The following pros and cons may help you decide whether postgraduate study is right for you.

• Pursue a subject you enjoy: The pursuit of knowledge for knowledge’s sake can be very enjoyable and motivating. A great deal of personal satisfaction can be gained from sharing ideas with other like-minded individuals who share your passion for a subject. Postgraduate study can also provide an intellectual challenge and research degrees in particular can allow you to make a real impact in a specific research area.
• Competitive edge: although not essential for many areas of work, a postgraduate qualification can provide a distinct advantage for job applicants, particularly when competition is fierce. A postgraduate student with specialist knowledge differentiates themselves from other graduates and may be more attractive to an employer.
• Improve career prospects: a postgraduate qualification may increase long-term earnings, although it may not necessarily enable a higher starting salary than a graduate.
• Necessary for chosen career: some careers require a professional qualification for entry, for example teaching, law, social work and librarianship.
• Change to a new career area: conversion courses can allow those who have studied general degrees to take a vocational direction, e.g. law or psychology. They also allow a move from arts to sciences or can add additional skills, such as IT, to improve employability in your target job area.
• Specialisation: a postgraduate qualification can help to develop a deeper understanding of a specific subject area that is related to your first degree. This may help you to pursue a specific career.
• Showing commitment to a chosen career: Further study can demonstrate determination to succeed in a chosen career area and may improve employment prospects.
• Transferable skills: you can develop transferable skills through postgraduate study, such as project management, critical thinking, research skills, time management, presentation skills and teamwork (from working with others on projects). Employers look for these skills on your CV as well as specific qualifications.
• Networking: you can greatly improve your employment prospects by building up a network of useful contacts. Postgraduate courses put you in touch with people in the industry and work placements can lead to possible work opportunities.
• Entry to academic careers: a Masters degree or PhD is in most cases a necessity for entry to academia or research positions.
• Expense: you must take into account that there is less funding available for postgraduate study than for undergraduate courses and many students have to either find sponsorship or fund themselves by working part-time or by getting a loan. Consider carefully both the fees and associated living costs involved in postgraduate study.
• Beating the recession: when there are fewer graduate jobs available, it is tempting to assume staying on in education is the best choice for your career. The key is to research whether postgraduate study really will be advantageous for the area of employment you are pursuing. It may be that relevant work experience - or any work experience - could help you gain skills to improve your chances of securing the job you are seeking and could be a better use of your time.

When should I study?

Straight after a degree

• This route may be particularly appropriate when the knowledge gained in your undergraduate programme is relevant to your postgraduate programme. This ensures continuity; that you don’t get out of the habit of studying.
• You may have a particular interest in a specific topic and are keen to pursue it on a deeper level or to specialise in that area.
• Going straight into postgraduate study enables you to boost your CV before entering the job market. You may gain relevant qualifications or specific skills that would be advantageous for the area of work you wish to enter.
• You may wish to test whether a particular career direction is right for you by taking a course specific to it.

Elizabeth completed a Masters in publishing studies at the University of Stirling before applying for a job in publishing.

I chose to do my Masters as a way of testing that I was getting into the right career, as well as the fact it was reputed to make entry into the field a bit easier. I did it straightaway after graduation from my undergraduate study – I believe in being prepared and thought about postgraduate options during the last couple of years of my degree.

After a break

• You may feel that you have spent too long studying without a break and a period away from learning can mean you return to it refreshed and keen to study again.
• Some professional qualifications require or benefit from a period of work experience before you commence them, for example social work.
• Employers value transferable skills such as communication skills and team work, even if they are not gained from work relating to your target career. A period in work before starting postgraduate study may enable you to pick up some of these skills.
• A period in work allows you time to earn money to fund your postgraduate study.
• You may wish to go travelling but keep in mind postgraduate course application deadlines and consider the fact that you might need to be available for interview.

While working

• Being in employment may help you to adjust to the greater independence, responsibility and self discipline required for postgraduate study. 
• If you have the opportunity to be sponsored for postgraduate study by your employer you can benefit from studying and working simultaneously. This gives you the opportunity to put chunks of taught theory into practice. One day a week is the most usual way to combine study and work but other options are also possible, such as block release and distance learning.
• Having to fit your study around work in the evenings and at weekends can be tiring and will require you to be motivated and committed. It is therefore important that the qualification you are studying for is something you are interested in and really want to achieve.

Emily has just started an MSc in Environmental Water Management at Cranfield University. She has been working for the Environment Agency for a year and is now studying while working.

I feel that having one year of work before starting the MSc has been beneficial. The teaching style is different to undergraduate and you are expected to take a more proactive role in your learning. You are not spoon fed in the way you might be on an undergraduate degree. Because I have worked for a year I also now know what is essential to my job and what might be useful background material as we go through the modules.

After working full time

• Going back to studying after working full time may be an option if you would like a change in career. Taking on a postgraduate course may help you to focus on that career area and give you a way in.
• Bear in mind that if you are not sponsored by an employer you will have to adjust to the lack of a regular salary. However, if you have been working full time, you may have had the opportunity to save money to help fund your studies.
• You will have to consider whether you will be able to get back into the routine of academic study, although you may be glad of the opportunity to get out of the ‘rat race’ and be able to concentrate on learning a new subject.

Where should I study?

When choosing where to study ensure you take into account both academic and personal factors.

Choosing an institution

• If you are currently studying at undergraduate level, speak to your tutors, they may have knowledge and personal contacts relating to their subject area that can point you to suitable postgraduate options.
• Check for institutions providing courses that provide options or specialist pathways that enable you to focus on particular interests.
• Consider the relative merits (or otherwise) of studying at a different institution to where you got your undergraduate degree.
• Contact alumni societies or use online student forums at the universities you are interested in to speak to current students and find out what it is really like.
• Access postgraduate forums at Find a Masters  to talk to other students about applications and to gain an insight into issues postgraduate students face.
• To look for suitable courses at a variety of institutions try search courses and research, universities and departments, Jobs.ac.uk , Find a Masters and Find a PhD .
• Search for programmes of study using a wide range of names and key words as courses in the same subject area may have a wide range of titles.
• Use postgraduate fairs to find details of postgraduate open days and postgraduate study fairs. 

To narrow down your choice consider:

• Academic entry requirements: many postgraduate courses require a 2:1 or higher.
• Work experience requirements: some courses expect you to have a certain amount of related work experience. This is usually the case for social work, teaching, medicine and other health care courses and some business courses.
• Modes of study available: full time, part time, distance learning or online.
• Facilities and resources available: for example for scientific or media production courses, does the department have the most up-to-date technology?
• Possibility of funding: does the university offer a scholarship or bursary or is a grant available from a research council?
• Reputation of the course/institution: use The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA)  for quality reports on HE institutions. Accreditation by professional bodies is also a good indicator of the quality of a course and may lead to a professional qualification that is essential for progress in a field.
• Ratio of staff to students.
• Job prospects after the course: ask for destinations of the last cohort of students.
• Postgraduate community: numbers of students, specific social opportunities and facilities for postgraduates.
• Personal considerations: accommodation costs, location of institution and associated travel costs.

Research programmes

In addition to the above, when making your selection you should also consider:

• Whether the topic of the research project will fit into your career plans. As topics are often proposed by supervisors it is important to ensure that you are comfortable with it.
• Who will your supervisor be and do you feel that you could have a good working relationship with them? Read the published work of potential supervisors and contact them for initial discussions as early as possible.
• Whether you will be working alone or as part of a research group. You will have to be very motivated and self reliant to work alone. In this instance it is important to ensure that the university has a thriving postgrad community with whom you can share ideas.
• What resources are available? Will you have your own computer/lab space?
• Will you be able to earn extra money teaching undergraduates or is this expected from you with no payment?
• What research rating does the department have for your field? See the Research Assessment Exercise  website for details. Departments that score 4* are rated world leading in terms of originality, significance and rigour.

Tom, currently doing a PhD has some useful tips relating to choosing a supervisor:

About a year before you wish to start it would be sensible to meet with your proposed supervisor to discuss potential research areas to see what is viable, they may also be able to suggest sources of funding. Even better would be to have done an internship or spent some time in the department in which you are interested in finding a PhD position. Choice of supervisor is very important; this can greatly affect your enjoyment of the experience and how successful it might be. 

Taught courses

The two main types of taught courses are Masters degrees and postgraduate certificates/diplomas. They cover a wide range of subject areas.

Masters

• Masters of Arts (MA) courses are normally in arts, social sciences, business or humanities subjects.
• A Master of Science (MSc) is awarded for science and social science courses.
• Universities often offer both MA and MSc courses in the same subject area. This will often be because the approach to the subject is slightly different. It is important to check.
• Other taught Masters courses include the Master of Business Administration (MBA) and the Master of Education (MEd).
• There are an increasing number of Masters of Research (MRes) courses for science and social science subjects. Although a taught course, 60% of its content has to be individual research project work. It is therefore particularly useful for prospective PhD candidates or those who wish to pursue a research career.
• A Masters is usually offered either full time over one year or part time over two years.
• Courses can include placements, practical or research projects and supervised lab work.
• Assessment includes exams, group or course work and assessed projects.

Postgraduate diplomas/certificates

• These courses can provide the professional qualifications needed for a specific career. 
• Certificates take about four months to complete, while diplomas take about nine months.
• These courses can provide a stepping stone to a Masters degree. Conversely they can be awarded to those who do not fully complete a Masters degree. For example, if you complete all the taught units of a Masters, but not the dissertation you could be awarded a diploma.

Flexible learning

• Apart from full and part time courses, there are increasing numbers of distance learning or e-learning courses available. These allow you to progress at your own pace and from your own home.
• Teaching materials are either sent to you by post, email or are available over the internet.
• You may or may not have a tutor or a network of other students who you can access for support.
• The course may require you to attend residential or day workshops.
• It typically takes two to five years to complete a taught Masters course via this mode of study.
• The Open University (OU) is the most well known provider of this type of course but many HE institutions and private organisations increasingly offer this option.

Issues to consider

• Time: you may need to fit study alongside other commitments, such as work or childcare. Consider whether a part-time or distance learning option may be better for you.
• Cost: courses can vary widely in cost especially if they involve using specialist equipment or facilities. It may be easier to finance a course by working and studying part time.
• Peer interaction: some people who study via distance learning may feel isolated and miss the benefits of having access to a postgraduate community, and so may be better suited to a taught course.

Future prospects

A taught course may provide a professional qualification necessary for your chosen career. You may gain specialist knowledge and a qualification to give you the edge over an increasing pool of graduates competing for the same jobs. Do not be complacent however and assume this alone will get you into your chosen career as you may still be up against people who have the same postgraduate qualifications as you. Show employers that you have other transferable skills that they value, such as time management, presentation skills, critical thinking and teamwork. Emphasise any relevant work experience you have gained and ensure it is represented on your CV alongside your postgraduate qualification. Make use of the network of professional contacts you have gained during the course to find potential job opportunities.

Research degrees

The most well-known research qualification is the PhD, also known as the DPhil in some universities. Other possible courses are the MA and MSc degrees by research and the MPhil, which is sometimes taken before embarking on a PhD.

Doctoral degrees (PhD, DPhil)

• These involve contributing new knowledge in a well designed research project or thesis (40,000 words upwards) that is worthy of publication.
• There can be some taught units on research methods, but the PhD is awarded mainly on the quality of the final thesis.
• They take three to four years full time or five to seven years part time, to complete.
• The New Route PhD or integrated PhD combines research with a structured programme of training in research methods and transferable professional skills. Interim awards at diploma, certificate or Masters level and professional qualifications may be offered in some programmes. It takes a minimum of four years full-time, six part-time to complete.
• Professional Doctorates with a substantial taught core are now available in some vocational areas, including engineering (EngD or DEng), business (DBA) and education (EdD). These integrate professional and academic knowledge for those interested in professional rather than academic careers. Many are accredited by professional bodies and paid for by employers. See Find a Professional Doctorate 
• The majority of research degrees are taken at universities and other higher education institutions. However, there are some opportunities for studying in partnership with a university, in government laboratories, hospital laboratories and research institutions.

Masters degrees by research (MA, MSc, MPhil)

• It is possible to study for research based MAs and MScs, as opposed to taking a taught course. They typically take one to two years full time or two to four years part time to complete.
• An MPhil is similar to a PhD but at a lower academic level. Most of the assessment is made on a single large research project. However this dissertation is shorter than a PhD thesis and is typically 30,000-35,000 words. There are some taught units on research methods and you are supervised by an experienced academic.
• In most UK institutions, formal registration for the degree of PhD takes place after the initial year of research (when you are officially at MPhil level) and following the successful completion of a transfer report.
• It may be possible to transfer from a PhD back to an MPhil degree. An MPhil, however, does not confer ‘Dr’ status and would not enable you to do postdoctoral research.
• It may be possible to gain a masters degree whilst working with the Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP)  scheme. This enables recently qualified graduates (known as KTP Associates) to work in a commercial environment (paid a salary at an industrial rate) whilst studying for a higher degree. It involves managing a research project central to a company’s development, such as designing and introducing a new product, process or marketing strategy. Projects last from ten weeks to three years.

Issues to consider

• Time: undertaking a research degree is a lengthy process and you need to ensure you are committed to seeing it through.
• Motivation: consider whether you have the personal motivation for long periods of independent study.
• Working relationship with supervisor: it is important to ensure that you have a good supportive research supervisor. Make sure you have met and feel comfortable with your supervisor before accepting a place.
• Cost: Research Council funding may be a possibility. Some employers will sponsor PhD students and Research Council funding can top this up.

Future prospects

You can expect job opportunities to exist in academia, in industry and in the public sector but competition can be fierce. A PhD is usually a pre-requisite for an academic career as a university researcher or lecturer, although opportunities are opening up in other support functions, such as staff training and development and student recruitment. It is common to hold a series of postdoctoral positions lasting one to two years before securing a permanent post, which can be difficult to come by. There are other careers for which a research degree is desirable or essential, for example, work as a scientific researcher for a pharmaceutical company or as a commissioning editor for a specialist academic journal. See Vitae 

Conversion courses

Conversion courses are typically one year taught courses that allow you to convert to a new subject area.

Why take a conversion course?

• Enhance your employment prospects: as an undergraduate you may have chosen to study a subject that you enjoy but that does not necessarily provide a way into the graduate job market. Conversion courses are often highly vocational, providing the first step into specific professional career areas, such as law, teaching and psychology. Sometimes a conversion course can build on your first degree by adding vocational skills, such as a biology student choosing an IT conversion course to facilitate entry to bioinformatics.
• Awarded at different levels: conversion courses are awarded at certificate, diploma and Masters levels and you can often progress from one to another.
• Fast track route: for those who want to enhance their employability in a short space of time, these courses concentrate a large amount of information into a short time span.
• Sponsorship possibilities: as these courses are often vocational and are accredited by professional bodies, they are highly valued by employers who may offer sponsorship opportunities.

Popular jobs

• Law: the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) is a popular course for graduates who didn’t study an accredited law degree at undergraduate level and now wish to train to become a solicitor or barrister. Successful completion of this course allows eligibility to apply for the Legal Practice Course (LPC), for training as a solicitor, or the Bar Vocational Course (BVC), for training as a barrister.
• Psychology: the Graduate Diploma in Psychology (GDP) allows graduates who have not studied a British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited psychology degree to be eligible for entry to a professional psychology course.  If you have not studied any psychology in your first degree, you may need to first attend a bridging programme before starting the GDP.
• Medicine: graduate entry medicine courses are four year fast track courses for graduates who have not studied medicine as their first degree. Some are open to graduates of any discipline while some require specific degrees and/or qualifications in chemistry or biology. Relevant work experience is also required for these highly competitive courses.
• Social Work: an alternative route for those who have not completed an undergraduate social work degree is a two year masters in social work approved by the General Social Care Council (GSCC). You will usually need at least six months relevant paid or voluntary work experience. This leads to a professional qualification as a social worker.
• Teaching: the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) is a popular conversion course for graduates who wish to teach. As the course focuses on teaching skills, not the subjects that are taught, you often need to have prior knowledge from your undergraduate degree of the subject you wish to teach. If not you may be able to do a subject knowledge enhancement course.
• IT/Business: there has been a recent increase in Masters level courses designed to give graduates the competitive edge when applying for business careers. An MSc in management can be an alternative for those who don’t have the required work experience needed to apply for an MBA. An MSc in information technology can add skills to your existing degree, to enhance employability.

Conversion courses are also available in healthcare, including nursing, physiotherapy, speech therapy and radiography.

See types of jobs for further details of the jobs available in these areas.

Future prospects

Some conversion courses are essential requirements for entry to a professional career. Some are designed more for those who wish to change career direction. All are vocational in nature to varying extents and may provide a fast track route to enhanced employment prospects, particularly if accredited by a professional body.

Professional qualifications

Professional qualifications are generally qualifications awarded directly by professional bodies. Most professional qualifications involve practical training, which allows you to gain hands-on experience in your chosen field. Examples of professional qualifications are the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) Professional Diploma in Marketing and the Chartered Institute of Public Relations Advanced Certificate.

Why obtain a professional qualification?

• Essential entry qualification: for some careers, individuals must obtain specific professional qualifications in order to enter the profession, such as the Legal Practice Course (LPC) for training as a solicitor.
• Practical: most professional qualifications involve practical training, which allows you to gain valuable experience in your chosen career.
• Flexible modes of study: professional qualifications are often offered as part-time day or evening courses. Distance learning and e-learning (using the internet) are often available. These options are essential for those with either work or home commitments. This means that you can continue to earn a salary to pay for your study and to cover your living expenses.
• Sponsorship: as professional courses are usually highly relevant to a particular career role, employers are often willing to support their employees to attain them. Graduates usually pursue a professional qualification part time alongside their job, with employers covering or contributing towards the cost of fees. In some areas, employers provide loans to cover fees, and repayments are deducted from your salary.
• Continuous Professional Development (CPD): some professional courses allow you to progress in your career and are necessary for CPD. In many professions obligations exist to ensure that all qualified professionals maintain their competence to practice. In rapidly changing professions these qualifications help to keep knowledge and skills up-to-date.
• Professional Recognition: taking courses accredited by a professional association can lead to becoming chartered, i.e. registered as a member with a certain level of knowledge and skills. A title may be gained which can be used after your name as professional recognition.  Having chartered status may improve job prospects and salary levels.
• Career Change: if you are thinking of moving into a new profession you should explore qualification routes with relevant professional bodies. It is important to ensure that you will be studying an accredited course. It can be possible to start qualifying for a career by studying for certificate or diploma level courses on a part-time basis.

Future prospects

Obtaining a professional qualification can offer rewards such as entry into your chosen career area, promotion, or an increase in salary. It shows that you have achieved a recognised level of competence and are committed to CPD. You should carefully evaluate whether pursuing the qualification is the right option for you and will be worth your time, effort and in some cases money.

Applying

What does a typical application involve?

There is no central admissions system that covers all postgraduate courses. Most applications are made online direct to a college or university. However you can apply to a number of institutions through apply online. This online postgraduate application process will link you directly to individual universities or to the UKPASS  clearing house. In Northern Ireland applications are made through the Postgraduate Applicatons Centre (PAC). For postgraduate courses in teaching, law, music performance and social work, applications are made to specific clearing houses. See types of jobs for details.

The style of application depends on the institution and course but most usually include questions about your source of funding, require a personal statement and ask you to name your referees or send a reference.

Timetable for applications

Most postgraduate level courses do not have official closing dates. Exceptions include courses in medicine, law and teacher training.

24-18 months in advance - Research your options and plan a timetable of action

• It is never too early to consider your options and some research done now could pay dividends later.
• Acquire relevant work experience. This is particularly important if you are interested in very popular courses, such as law, journalism and professions related to medicine.
• If you are interested in research, consider potential supervisors and make initial enquiries, they may also be able to help with funding opportunities.

18-12 months in advance - Continue research and firm-up plans

• Some courses may have early closing dates for applications so check what they are in plenty of time.
• Speak to members of staff at your own institution who are experts in your chosen field. They may be able to suggest related areas of study and institutions worth investigation.
• Check the dates of Postgraduate fairs and university open days.
• If you have a specific research interest, consider writing your own research proposal in conjunction with your potential supervisor, for submission to funding bodies.
• Consider how you will fund your course.

12-6 months in advance - Apply for places and funding

• This is the time when most people start to plan and take action with regard to postgraduate study in the UK.
• If you have not already done so, make initial enquiries about postgraduate courses. Prospectuses are often available online. Make contact with course tutors and check course details, specific entry requirements and the possibility of nomination by the department for a funding award (where relevant).
• Attend department open days or arrange a visit to the target department.
• Good academic references to support your application are critical to the selection and award seeking processes. Choose your referees with care and discuss your plans with them. Check that they will be available to respond quickly to a request for a reference.
• Write personal statements. You can use Postgraduate Studentships for examples of personal statements used by real students to enter postgraduate study.
• Make applications as soon as you are clear about the courses or research programmes you prefer, possibly before Christmas or soon after New Year.
• Look into any available funding and make applications.

Last 6 months - Continue with applications, attend interviews

• It is at this time that course providers start to call in candidates for interviews and it is important that you are prepared.
• By now you will probably know to what extent you have been successful in obtaining offers, and whether or not there is funding attached. The offers are usually conditional upon your final degree results, so give priority to your academic work.
• By the end of the academic year, departments are much clearer about the level of funding available and, subject to candidates’ satisfactory degree performance, can confirm or clarify their offers.
  If you have made a late decision to consider postgraduate study
• Keep looking for courses and research posts because it is still possible to pick up late offers, particularly if you have your degree results rather than a predicted grade.
• You might see openings for research assistants/teaching assistants in higher education institutions that involve salaried contract research or teaching and might offer the opportunity to register for a research degree.

Interviews

The style of interview varies greatly with course and institution. An interview gives you a chance to see the department, meet potential tutors or supervisors and possibly current students. You should treat an interview for postgraduate study in the same way that you would treat a job interview; prepare well, show enthusiasm and ask appropriate questions.

Typical Interview questions

• Why do you want to study this subject/course/research programme? Show your enthusiasm and passion for the subject. Make reference to relevant modules from your undergraduate study, projects or a dissertation that have led you to wish to develop this interest further. If you have a career aim, show how the course will help you achieve this. Explain the unique contribution your research will make to a university as well as how it will fit with existing research (if appropriate).
• Why this university/college? Demonstrate that you are familiar with the research strengths of the department and how it is regarded in the academic community. It may be the structure of the course, flexible study options, methods of assessment or the state of the art facilities that attract you. If you already study at this university, present this as a positive feature.
• What skills can you offer? Interviewers are interested both in academic and personal skills. On the academic side show the taught skills you have, such as skills of analysis, IT and research skills. On the personal side demonstrate that you have transferable skills, such as communication and presentation skills, time management and can work in a team. Do not just list skills; explain where you gained them (from work experience or undergraduate projects) and how this will benefit the course.
• What do you intend to do on completing this course? Even if you don’t have a clear career aim at this stage, some sense of direction will signal that you have a reason for completing the course and may be more committed to it and doing well in your studies.
• How do you intend to fund your study? Ensure you have prepared well for this question. Check out any possible sources of funding, including from the university, well ahead of time to see if you would be eligible. Be prepared to show how you would fund a course personally, if you are not successful in grant applications. Perhaps you will work and study part-time or use a career development loan - see Directgov - Career Development Loans for further information.
• Which part of your degree course did you enjoy the most? Ensure that you show enthusiasm for study/research. Mention parts of your current course that link to what you are applying for or that you excelled in. Expand on this by showing that you also do your own personal reading around the subject.
• What do you feel are the main differences between undergraduate and postgraduate study? This is your chance to show that you have the skills and qualities needed for independent research and study. Demonstrate that you understand that postgraduate study involves taking a more proactive attitude to study, including independent reading, critical thinking, time management, problem solving, tenacity and self discipline.
• Why should we accept you? This is a gift question. It gives you the chance to use a prepared answer. State your strengths, skills and relevant experiences putting them in the order that creates the best impression.

Costs and funding

How much is postgraduate study likely to cost?

Tuition fees

• For UK and EU students, fees are typically between £3,000 and £6,000 per year. Research based courses tend to cost less than taught courses. Those involving laboratory work are usually more expensive.
• Some courses are significantly more expensive than others, for example, some MBA courses may cost from £18,000 upwards.
• Fees for international students may be double the fees for home students.
• Specific details of fees can be found on the postgraduate pages of university websites or in postgraduate prospectuses.

Living costs (maintenance costs)

• These include accommodation, general living costs such as food, utility bills, use of the internet and travel, and course materials for research students.
• Bear in mind that the cost of living differs according to geographical area, for example in or outside London. Some universities give information on projected living costs on their websites.
• You may find an online budget planner, for example at Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) is useful.
• Grants for postgraduate study do exist, and can cover both fees and living expenses but they are not automatic.

Have a look at funding my further study for detailed information about the availability of funding for postgraduate study and potential sources of income.

Studying abroad

Graduates who choose to do further study abroad get the opportunity to work with specialists in their field as well as gaining a competitive edge over their peers by learning a new language and culture. However the associated costs and the issue of recognised qualifications mean it needs some serious consideration before you sign up.

 See our guide to studying abroad for more information

Contacts and resources

Jobs and work

• Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC)  - industry funded studentships
• Jobs.ac.uk  - funded studentships for masters and PhD
• Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP)  - graduate opportunities to do research project for company
• Nature Jobs 
• New Scientist 
• PhD Jobs 
• Science Magazine 
• Vitae  - career development for doctoral researchers

Study

• Association of MBAs
• British Psychological Society (BPS) 
• Clearing House for Postgrad Courses in Clinical Psychology 
• Directgov  - study and funding information
• Find a Masters 
• Find a PhD 
• Find a Professional Doctorate 
• Graduate Teacher Training Registry (GTTR) 
• Just Courses 
• The Law Society of England and Wales 
• Legal Practice Course Central Applications Board  - applications to LPC and GDL
• New Route PhD 
• Open University (OU) 
• Postgrad.com 
• Postgrad.ie 
• postgradireland 
• Postgraduate Applicatons Centre (PAC) 
• Postgraduate Studentships  - also funding information
• Target Courses 
• Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) 
• UKPASS 
• Which MBA? 

Funding

• Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC)  - research funding
• British Federation of Women Graduates  - scholarships
• Cancer Research UK  - research funding
• Directgov - Career Development Loans 
• Funds for Women Graduates 
• Research Councils UK 
• Royal Astronomical Society  - list of postgraduate research opportunities in astronomy and geophysics and competition for best PhD thesis
• Royal Geographical Society  - funding for research
• The Royal Society  - fellowship schemes and other grants
• Wellcome Trust  - funding for biomedical research

News

• The Independent
• Times Higher Education 

Reference

• Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) 
• Department for Employment and Learning in Northern Ireland (DELNI) 
• Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) 
• Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA) 
• Lifelong Learning 
• National Postgraduate Committee 
• The Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA)  - A-Z of Institution quality audits
• Research Assessment Exercise  - surveys of research funding
• SKILL (National Bureau for Students with Disabilities)

AGCAS

Written by Wendy Reed, AGCAS

Date: 

March 2010

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